Volume 27, Number 4 Spring 2014 Sociology of Emotions American Sociological Association Mission The ASA Section on Sociology of Emotions brings together social and behavioral scientists in order to promote the general development of the study of emotions through the exchange of ideas, theory, research, and teaching. Scholars from a variety of backgrounds are members of this section, and collectively encourage the study of emotions in everyday social life. Substantive topics of investigation include: the expression and experience of emotions, emotions in social interaction, identity and emotions, emotions in historical perspective, the cross-cultural study of emotions, emotions and violence, and the traditions of theory and research in the area of emotions. From the Chair’s Desk Jody Clay-Warner It’s been a busy few months for the Sociology of Emotion section! Our committees have been hard at work organizing paper sessions for the ASA meetings, reading submissions for our awards, and coordinating nominations for next year’s officers. Heather Scheuerman, chair of the program committee, reports that there were 15 papers submissions for our single ASA session. This is a large number of submissions given the size of our section, which speaks to the growing interest in the study of emotion in sociology. Heather has selected five papers for inclusion, featuring research on a wide of topics including trust, mass media, and computer-human interaction. In addition to our open session, we will also have a Chair’s Hour immediately preceding the business meetings. The theme of the Chair’s Hour is “Emotions in Cross-Cultural Perspective.” We will hear from scholars in the U.S. and abroad about new research on emotions and culture. Presenting their research are Miliann Kang, Roger Patulny, Dawn Robinson, Kimberly Rogers, and Rebecca Olson. Content 1-2 From the Chair’s Desk 2 Section Officers 3 Emotion Section Candidates 4 Social Media Report Outstanding Contribution Award New Publication Call for Contributions 5-6 Defining Shame as an Emotions, Thomas Scheff 7 Graduate Student Profiles 8 Center for the Study of Social Dynamics 2013-14 Committees 9 Our award committees have also been busy. The Outstanding Recent Contribution Award Committee received eight nominations. According to committee chair Lisa Walker, the committee had a difficult time choosing between the many high quality submissions. As recently announced, the committee has chosen Eva Illouz’s book Why Love Hurts as the recipient of the award. Congratulations to Eva for receiving the award in a particularly competitive year. Visit us online http://www2.asanet.org/Emotions/ Join the conversation on Facebook & Twitter @SocEmotions 109th Annual Meeting Information Volume 27, Number 4 Spring 2014 From the Chair’s Desk Continued The graduate student paper award committee, chaired by Pam Kirk, is in the midst of reading a large, diverse group of submissions. I asked Pam to give me a sense of the general topics covered by the papers, and the list she supplied covered almost every major area within the sociology of emotions. This is a good sign, as it suggests that our graduate student members are well-equipped to carry on with the section’s mission as a home for scholars researching emotions from a variety of perspectives. Our summer newsletter will feature articles on all of our 2014 award winners, as well as reports from our award committees. Finally, our Nominations Committee has put together a strong slate of candidates for consideration by the membership: Chair, Tim Hallett and Karen Hegtvedt; Council (3-year term), Alicia Cast and Tim Owens; Council (1-year term), Linda Burton and Amy Kroska; Secretary-Treasurer, Joe Dippong and Shane Sharp; Student Representative to Council, Matt Andersson and Ryan Trettevik. If you have not received an e-mail with a link to your on-line ballot, please contact ASA at governance@asanet.org. Election results will be announced in June. Many thanks to our Nominations Committee: Ellen Granberg (Chair), Christopher Bail, Sarah Harkness, Cathryn Johnson, and Gretchen Peterson. Thanks also to all who agreed to stand for office. Once again, thanks to Jessica Leveto for her work as newsletter editor. In this edition, you’ll find information about our members’ new publications (pg. 4) and a profile of graduate student member Andrew C. Patterson (pg. 7). Also in this edition you’ll find a column by Tom Scheff in which he theorizes about the relationship between stigma and emotion (pg. 5). Be sure to check out the section’s Twitter feed and Facebook page. We now have 1587 Twitter followers and 658 followers on our Facebook page. Check out these sources for section updates and announcements and also for news about research on emotion. Jessica Leveto is managing our social media and newsletter, so please send her information to post. Jessica is still looking for assistance in managing our section website. This is not a time consuming job, so if you have web management skills and are willing to spend just a few hours a month updating the website, please let Jessica know (jleveto@kent.edu). Wishing everyone a happy end-of-semester! Section Officers Chair Jody Clay-Warner University of Georgia jclayw@uga.edu Council Lisa Slattery Walker University of North Carolina at Charlotte lisa.walker@uncc.edu Secretary-Treasurer Amy Wilkins University of Colorado at Boulder amy.wilkins@colorado.edu Emotions Section Officers Chair Elect Linda Francis Cleveland State University francislindae@gmail.com Past Chair Kathryn Lively Dartmouth College Kathryn.J.Lively@Dartmouth.edu Ellen Granberg Clemson University granber@clemson.edu Lauren Rivera Northwestern University l-rivera@kellogg.northwestern.edu Lindsey Westermann Ayers Kent State University layers2@kent.edu 2 Newsletter, Webmaster & Social Media Jessica Leveto Kent State University, Ashtabula jleveto@kent.edu Volume 27, Number 4 Spring 2014 Sociology of Emotions Section Candidates The ASA election for leadership opens on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 and is open until 5:00PM EDT Sunday, June 1, 2014. Below are the candidates for section council. Chair Elect (1 Year Term) Karen Hegtvedt, Emory University Tim Hallett, Indiana University HELP WANTED! Webmaster If you have design skills (or would like to learn some) and would like to assist the current webmaster with duties associated our section website please email Jessica Leveto at jleveto@kent.edu Secretary/Treasurer (3 Year Term) Shane Sharp, Northern Illinois University Joe Dippong, University of North Carolina at Charlotte Council Members (3 Year Term) Tim Owens, Kent State University Alicia Cast, University of California, Santa Barbara Council Members (1 Year Term) Amy Kroska, University of Oklahoma Linda Burton, Duke University Student Members (1 Year Term) Matt Andersson, University of Iowa Ryan Trettevik, University of California, Riverside @SocEmotions currently has 1587 followers on Twitter. Twitter remains a space where we share new publications, announcements and other materials for anyone interested in the Sociology of Emotions. The “Sociology of Emotions Section American Sociological Association” Facebook page currently has 658 followers. Facebook posts include recent publications, calls for papers, section announcements and provides a forum for dialogue. 3 Volume 27, Number 4 Spring 2014 2014 Sociology of Emotions Outstanding Recent Contribution Award Congratulations to award winner Eva Illouz for her book “Why Love Hurts: A Sociological Explanation.” Eva will receive the award during the section business meeting at ASA. The Outstanding Recent contribution award committee included Lisa Walker (chair), James Jasper, and Alicia Cast. NEW PUBLICATION: Cabin Pressure: African American Pilots, Flight Attendants, and Emotional Labor Louwanda Evans From African American pilots being asked to carry people's luggage to patrons refusing drinks from African American flight attendants, Cabin Pressure demonstrates that racism is still very much alive in the "friendly skies." Author Louwanda Evans draws on provocative interviews with African Americans in the flight industry to examine the emotional labor involved in a business that offers occupational prestige, but also a history of the systemic exclusion of people of color. Join the Emotions Section Visit the ASA Membership Page Emotions Section #25 $12 Regular, $5 Student, $10 Low Income 4 Volume 27, Number 4 Spring 2014 Defining Stigma as an Emotion By Thomas Scheff first chapter.) The study of stigma has become one of the central concerns in sociology, psychology and many other disciplines, including medicine. Searching for the term on Google Scholar reveals 677 k mentions. Given the amount of interest, and the fact that it is interdisciplinary, we probably need to define stigma as a concept, rather than continue to use it as a vernacular word. (The stigmatized person’s) identification with (other) offenders like himself (e.g. mentally ill) holds him to what repels him, transforming repulsion into shame, and then transforming ashamedness itself into something of which he is ashamed. (P.108) Searching the literature for a definition of stigma brings up a 2001 attempt by Link and Phelan. Most important of all, the very notion of shameful differences assumes a similarity in regard to crucial beliefs, those regarding identity. (P. 13) Stigma exists when elements of labeling, stereotyping, separating, status loss and discrediting occur in power situation that allows these processes to occur. (p. 382) Once the dynamics of shameful differentness are seen as a general feature of social life, one can go on to look at the relation of their study to the study of neighboring matters associated with the term “deviance”…(P. 140, last chapter). This is a lengthy and complex definition that includes behaviors and social elements (status, power). Dictionaries, however, offer a much shorter and simpler one. For example, the Merriam-Webster Online dictionary defines stigma as “a mark of shame or discredit.” Even though the Link and Phelan article on stigma (2001) cites Goffman’s book several times, they don’t refer at all to shame. As it turns out, this abstinence is not unusual. The great majority of studies of stigma do not define it in It seems that the Link/Phelan definition confounds stigma itself with stigmatization, the process that leads to stigma. Only one of the six elements in their definition can be related to stigma, what they call “status loss,” which can be seen as a roundabout way of referring to shame. terms of shame, mostly don’t even use the word shame, and don’t cite any of the shame literature. For a preliminary estimate of the extent to which research on stigma refers to shame, I searched a book on the social psychology of stigma (Heatherton, et al, 2000) that has 14 chapters written by some fifty authors. The word shame doesn’t appear in the index, nor its close kin, embarrassment and humiliation, even though the Goffman book is cited many times. However, several chapters have a near miss, since they discuss Charles Cooley’s (1922) idea of “the looking glass self.” They failed to notice however, that according to Cooley, seeing one’s self as others see us often ends in shame: In his book on stigma, Goffman (1963) does not define it directly, but makes many references to shame. Here are four of them (For the reader’s convenience, I have bolded the shame terms. However, in the third quote, the word shameful was already bolded in the text.) Notice that in the second quote, three shame terms occur in a single sentence: Shame becomes a central possibility, arising from the individual's perception of one of his own attributes as being a defiling thing to possess, and one he can readily see himself as not possessing. (P. 7, “[The self] seems to have three principal elements: 1. The imagination of our appearance to the other person 2. The imagination of his [or her] judgment of that appearance 3. Some sort of self-feeling, such as pride or [shame]." 5 (p.184) Volume 27, Number 4 Spring 2014 (Scheff Continued) References Although sociologists have been referring to Cooley’s idea of the looking glass self in great numbers since the 1950s, few have noticed the connection with shame either, and most still don’t. What is going on? Aiden, Ezra and John Mitchell. 2011. http://books.google.com/ngrams The Taboo on the S-Word Cooley 1922. Human Nature and Conduct. New York: Scribners. The first studies of sexual behavior published by Kinsey (1948) and by Masters and Johnson (1966) met condemnation because they discussed subjects that had previously been taboo. Yet they quickly became known both to the research world and to the public at large. Suppose, however, that they had used an inoffensive but ambiguous word like LOVE or INTIMACY instead of the word SEX, which at that time was more taboo than it is now. They would have caused less offense, but their work would have become much less well known except by the most diligent researchers. Studies of the emotion of shame still face a similar dilemma because shame, much more today than sex, appears to be taboo. This idea has been suggested by the psychologist Gershen Kaufman, one of several writers who have argued that shame is taboo in our society: American society is a shame-based culture, but …shame remains hidden. Since there is shame about shame, it remains under taboo. ….The taboo on shame is so strict …that we behave as if shame does not exist (Kaufman 1989). Another indication of taboo is the reduced usage of the word shame, as predicted by Elias’s study. It is now possible to chart the occurrence of shame and other words in millions of digitalized books from 1800 to 2007 in Google Ngrams (Aiden and Michel 2011). I found that the use of the word shame in American English and four European languages has decreased three-fold. Finally, two further suggestions of taboo by researchers of shame that avoid the word itself. Evelin Lindner’s ability to organize a worldwide following for the study of shame themes may be due, at least in part, to avoiding the s-word, especially in titles, not only for her organization (Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies), but also her books (2000; 2006; 2006; 2010). Another instance is the work of Robert W. Fuller (2003; 2006; 2008). He has attracted large audiences all over the world using title words like Lindner’s and avoiding the s-word. The taboo on shame seems to have weakened in the last ten years among researchers. The downward slope for the word shame has slowed slightly in the Ngrams. But it continues to exert a powerful influence in the vernacular and even in research: shame is still close to being unspeakable and unprintable. This essay has suggested that stigma can be defined as shame, and also that this usage might allow shame researchers to know of each other’s work. In a broader sense, this change would also mean that stigma researchers, at least, would stop reinforcing the taboo on shame. 6 Goffman, Erving. Stigma. 1963. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall Fuller, Robert W. 2003. Somebodies and Nobodies. Gabriola Island: New Society Publishers. Fuller, Robert W. 2006. All Rise. San Francisco, CA: Barrett-Koehler Publishers. Fuller, Robert W. and Pamela A. Gerloff. 2008. Dignity for All. San Francisco, CA: Barrett-Koehler Publishers. Hetherton, Ted, Kleck, R., Hebl, M., and Jull, J. The Social Psychology of Stigma. 2000. New York: Guilford. Kaufman, Gershon. 1989. The Psychology of Shame. New York: Springer. Kinsey, Alfred, W. Pomeroy, and C. Martin. Sexual Behavior in the Human Male. Indiana University Press, 1948. Linder, Evelin. 2000. The Psychology of Humiliation. Oslo: Oslo University. ___2006. Making Enemies. Westport, Conn. Praeger. ___2006a. Emotions and Conflict. Westport, Conn. Praeger. ___2010. Gender, humiliation, and global security. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger Link, Bruce and Jo Phelan. 2001. Conceptualizing Stigma. Annual Review of Sociology 27, 363- 385. Masters, W. H.; Johnson, V.E. (1966). Human Sexual Response. New York: Bantam Books. Volume 27, Number 4 Spring 2014 Graduate Student Profile Andrew C. Patterson Call for Contributions University of British Columbia The Sociology of Emotions seeks the following: Dissertation Title: Political Regimes and Health: Competing Explanations Chair: Prof. Gerry Veenstra Areas of Specialization: Health sociology; political sociology; quantitative methodologies and statistics; loneliness as a health determinant; theories of causality in the macrosocial and multilevel contexts Website Email: andrew.c.patterson@alumni.ubc.ca Dissertation Abstract: Using 50 years of annual comparative data as well as a replicable imputation strategy for missing data, my dissertation tests political democracy as a determinant of health. On average, compared to people in nondemocracies those living in democratic nations have up to 10.8 years of added life expectancy, 57% less infant mortality, and 21% less overall mortality. Constraints on decision-making powers of elected leaders partially mediate the association between democracy and health, while competitive participation of non-ruling actors in the political arena partially mediates both executive constraints and democracy. Gross domestic product fully or (in the case of infant mortality) partially explains the impact of democracy and its mediators on health. Findings suggest democracy promotes stronger health, although it may do so in large part by providing a business-friendly environment that encourages growth in national income. Biography: Currently, Mr. Patterson is completing a PhD in Sociology at the University of British Columbia. His main interests are in the theory and methodology of social causes at multiple levels of analysis. The focus of his dissertation is on political regimes as an important cause of life expectancy at the macro-level. Key questions about the accountability of elected leaders are emerging in this work, although his findings also implicate broad patterns of institutionalization that occur in democracies. Mr. Patterson also completed a Master of Arts in Family Studies and the subject of his thesis was the mortality risk of loneliness. With Prof. Gerry Veenstra as co-author, he published the main findings of his thesis in Social Science and Medicine in 2010. Currently, in addition to his dissertation he is working on a follow-up study that contextualizes social isolation within a broader social arena, namely, by examining how socioeconomic status structures the health risks of loneliness and objective social isolation. Mr. Patterson has twice taught undergraduate social statistics at the University of British Columbia. He also has working syllabi for classes teaching graduate-level statistics, introductory sociology, determinants of health, classic and contemporary theory, the sociology of crime, and research methods. 7 Upcoming conferences, calls for papers, special issues of journals or grant opportunities Information related to conferences that would be of interest to section members. Profiles of graduate students who are on the job market. Titles of new or forthcoming books or articles that would be of interest to section members ”What's On Your Bookshelf?" - A short description of three books that have been influential to you Photos from recent conferences. Updates on issues that are relevant to the Sociology of Emotion Online resources relevant to Sociology of Emotions (Blogs or other relevant electronic resources) If you have other relevant materials please let us know, I am happy to make a space for new and innovative contributions and contributors! Send to Newsletter Editor Jessica Leveto jleveto@kent.edu Volume 27, Number 4 Spring 2014 The Center for the Study of Social Dynamics is a new qualitative and experimental research lab located in the Department of Sociology at the University of West Georgia. A University grant awarded to Emotions Section member, Associate Professor Dr. Pam Kirk, established the center. The center’s mission is to promote research enhancing the professional development of faculty and students in the social sciences while simultaneously helping local organizations and the greater community who need research assistance. The Center facilitates the development of proposals for external funding and strengthens the reputation of the College of Social Sciences as an innovative place for theory based, scientific research. They are dedicated to creating a bridge for crossdisciplinary teaching, learning and research, including working collaboratively with the College’s existing Survey Research Center. What Tools Does the Facility Offer? This newly renovated lab comes fullyequipped with everything student and faculty researchers need to conduct both networked and face to face interaction studies. 11 Computer Stations Recording Equipment Group Interaction Room Control/Observation Room (coming soon!) Portable Equipment for Field Research 2013-2014 Committees Outstanding Recent Contribution Award Publications Committee Jessica Leveto (Chair) Jody Clay-Warner Lisa Walker (Chair) James Jasper Alicia Cast Program Committee Graduate Student Paper Award Pamela Kirk (Chair) Linda Francis Jessica Collett Nomination Committee Ellen Granberg (Chair) Christopher Bail Sarah Harkness Cathryn Johnson Gretchen Peterson 8 Heather Scheuerman (open session) Jody Clay-Warner (chair’s hour) Volume 27, Number 4 Spring 2014 109th ASA Annual Meeting Hard Times: The Impact of Economic Inequality on Families and Individuals EMOTIONS SECTION SESSIONS 2014 ASA Meetings Section Reception (co-hosted with Social Psychology): Saturday, August 16, 6:30-8:30 Chair's Hour/Business Meeting: Sunday, August 17, 2:30-4:10 Section Paper Session: New Directions in the Sociology of Emotions: Sunday, Aug. 17, 12:30-2:10 Roundtable (co-hosted with Social Psychology): Monday, August 18, 2:30 - 4:10 Theme for 2015 Program of the American Sociological Association: Sexualities in the Social World 110th ASA Annual Meeting August 22-25, 2015 Chicago, Illinois 9